Lone Madrone Old Hat 2010, Paso Robles, CA, $45 (S) – Rating 91

Blended from 71% Zinfandel and 29% Petite Sirah, this is a big wine with soft tannins and just the right amount of acidity. Blueberry, blackberry, plum and dark spice on the nose. The palate is treated to deep flavors of blackberry, black cherry, plum and brown spice. Cacao with just a hint of spicy cayenne on the finish. Buy This Wine

Alpha Omega Proprietary Red 2011, Napa Valley, CA, $94(S) – Rating 92

The cool summer of 2011 made for a challenging growing season but this blend of Cabernet 72%, Cabernet Franc 20%, Petit Verdot 5% and Merlot 3% shows that with quality winemaking, one can rise to the challenge, to create an excellent wine in the toughest of vintages. A rich nose of plum, black cherry and blackberry pie with whiffs of tobacco, vanilla and baking spice. Robust on the palate with balanced acidity and defined tannins. Full flavors of black cherry, oaky vanilla, plum with a hint of raspberry and black pepper. Very dark chocolate on the finish. Buy This Wine

A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 12% Petite Verdot. Each variety and clone were fermented separately and hand punched followed by 2 years in French oak. A rich nose of dark berries, blackberry and tobacco box. Textured flavors with a full mouth-feel, good food-pairing acidity and supple tannins. On the palate, flavors of dark berries, black cherry, ripe plum, cherry and spice. Dark mocha on long and transformative finish. Double Gold Medal – 2013 Sonoma County Harvest Fair Buy This Wine